Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains are the most common of all ankle injuries, occurring when there is a stretching and tearing of ligaments surrounding the ankle joint. The numerous ligaments around the ankle can become pulled and torn when the ankle is forced into a position not normally encountered.

It is common for this to happen while running or jumping on an uneven surface. The foot rolls in (inversion) or out (eversion) and the ligaments are stretched. Occasionally a loud “snap” or “pop” is heard at the time of the sprain.

Arthritis Management

Arthritis, the inflammation of a joint, is usually accompanied by pain and may lead to deformity.

Both occupational and physical therapies play important roles in the treatment of patients affected by arthritis. The primary goals of therapy include maintaining or improving joint mobility and muscular strength; protecting affected joints from additional irritation, structural deterioration or deformity; enhancing functional capacity, and managing analgesia and pain.

There are a variety of ways to treat arthritis and manage its symptoms, including paraffin baths, mobilization, hydrotherapy, fluidotherapy and customized splinting. Your therapist will determine the best approach to your treatment based on your specific condition.

Back and Neck Pain Stabilization

Commonly caused by poor posture and body mechanics, stressful living, working habits, accidents or loss of physical fitness, neck and back pain are two of the leading causes of disability and time lost from work. In the acute stages of back disorder, patients tend to recover in a short period of time, approximately one to seven days. Sub-acute back pain usually lasts from seven days to seven weeks, while chronic pain usually lasts more than three months. More than 85% of people with low back pain improve with minimal treatment. However, back problems are recurrent and progressive in nature.

Our goal is to break the cycle of recurrent neck and back pain through exercise, therapy and lifestyle change. We offer instruction in correct sleeping, sitting and standing postures, as well as training in proper body mechanics for correct lifting, carrying and reaching during everyday activities. We couple that with flexibility and strengthening exercises (for the neck, lower back, legs and abdominal muscles) and aerobic activity to help maintain a healthy weight. We also teach relaxation techniques to reduce emotional stress that can cause muscle tension, and modalities to reduce and manage acute pain.

Balance Therapy

Balance issues may be a result of orthopaedic injuries, postural issues or problems with the vestibular system, such as BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo).

Our therapists are trained to identify the source of your balance issues and address them through strengthening and stabilization, corrective exercises or special techniques such as canalith repositioning.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when nerves in your wrist become pinched due to swelling. The condition can be caused by excessive repetitive movements of the arms, wrists or hands and can lead to numbness, tingling or pain in the hand, wrist and forearm. Physical therapy and special hand exercises have been known to relieve mild to moderate symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Gliding exercises

Some people who do not get adequate relief from splints and activity modification do get more relief when these treatments are combined with nerve and tendon gliding exercises. Gliding exercises alone may help, but usually not as much as when combined with other treatments.

Tendon gliding exercises – You move your fingers through five positions with your wrist in a neutral (unbent) position.

Median nerve gliding exercises – You move your hand through six positions while your wrist is in a neutral position.

Exercises and physical therapy do not change the natural course of carpal tunnel syndrome, which tends to worsen over time. These treatments are typically most effective in temporarily relieving symptoms of mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. Keep in mind, though, if you change how you do routine activities and treat any underlying medical condition that might be worsening your carpal tunnel syndrome, you may notice permanent improvement.

Chronic Headache

Studies show that chronic headaches affect one in seven Americans. These types of headaches can affect not only quality of life, but also careers and family interactions. That’s why we believe headaches should always be taken seriously. At BenchMark, our headache treatment program is designed to help patients reduce or eliminate their pain and regain control of their lives.

Our headache treatment program offers a multidisciplinary approach. First, you’ll receive an extensive evaluation by a licensed physical therapist to identify all possible physical causes, as well as a review of any possible diet and emotional factors. Then we develop a customized treatment plan to specifically address your identified problem areas.

Treatments:

Our chronic headache therapy program consists of three treatments. The first is stress management instruction, which helps patients identify and effectively deal with lifestyle stressors that can lead to headaches. Second is physical therapy, which eases muscular tension, mechanical problems in the spine and other problems. Lastly, we use manual therapy (deep massage) to release key trigger points and relax muscle spasms.

Ergonomic Assessment

Ergonomics is the study of work – specifically, the study of the impact of work on the human form. We are able to assist your organization in maintaining a safe work environment by conducting on-site evaluations of workstations. Specially trained therapists, educated to look for current or potential hazards that an employee may encounter while performing a specific task, perform ergonomic assessments. Our professionals can help you modify an existing job or help you design the best approach to a new workstation or specific task. Additionally, we provide “back school” sessions and injury prevention training for groups of all sizes.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a common condition that can cause body-wide pain and tenderness in joints, muscles, tendons and other soft tissues, as well as extreme fatigue. Although there is no cure for fibromyalgia, physical therapy treatment can relieve some of the symptoms.

The most important therapy for muscle pain is regular, low-impact exercise. Keeping muscles conditioned and healthy by exercising three times a week decreases the amount of discomfort. It is important to try low-stress exercises such as walking, swimming, water aerobics and biking rather than muscle-straining exercises such as weight training. Besides helping with tenderness, regular exercises can also boost energy levels and help with sleep.

One of the main aspects of the rehab approach is the physical therapy and exercise segment of treatment. In a rehab approach program, fibromyalgia patients are taught about the importance of physical therapy and exercise, and work together with professionals to develop exercise regimens they can perform at home. In particular, our patients learn how to stretch and relax their muscles and maintain proper posture, as well as self-massage and deep relaxation and breathing techniques.

General Deconditioning

Patients often suffer from deconditioning due to a major medical event, chronic disease process or a sedentary lifestyle.

Our therapists will customize a plan that holistically addresses risk factors, lifestyle and access to create achievable results that will allow you to return to, or begin, a healthy lifestyle or even prepare you for an upcoming surgery.

Hand Therapy

Hand-to-shoulder therapy is the rehabilitation of the upper extremity of the human body through specialized knowledge of upper extremity function. Hand-to-shoulder therapists work with patients to prevent injury or impairment, restore functional activity and enhance participation in daily life.

We provide:

Outcome scores nearly three times greater than what is considered clinically significant improvement

Functional capacity evaluations

Lymphedema management

Ergo/job-site evaluations

Impairment rating calculations

IT Band Syndrome

IT band syndrome (ITBS) is a painful overuse condition affecting the iliotibial band, an extension of a muscle located on the outside of the thigh. This can occur from quickly increasing distances with running or biking type activities. Those suffering from ITBS may feel pain on the outside of the knee or hip that becomes worse with activity.

Many other biomechanical factors can contribute to this condition, which may warrant evaluation by a physical therapist to determine the best course of treatment. Treatment of ITBS may include a change in footwear, icing the area of pain, stretching, resting, low-impact cross-training and anti-inflammatory medication.

Knee Pain

Knee problems are common whether due to trauma or overuse injuries. Our licensed therapists develop a program to increase strength and range of motion to prepare you to return to normal activities.

We also have pre- and post-surgical protocols to assist you with the best outcome possible for your particular diagnosis (ACL tear, sprain/strain, patellofemoral syndrome, total knee replacement, bursitis/tendinitis, arthritis, etc.).

Manual Therapy

Orthopaedic manual therapy is a clinical approach to patient care that involves specific hands-on techniques. The result of manual therapy in certain musculoskeletal conditions is reduced pain, increased joint mobility and range of motion. It is often prescribed for chronic back pain involving joint problems, such as sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and soft tissue injuries, such as strains.

95% of our patients receive manual/mobilization techniques as part of a hands-on approach to optimize patient care and eventual overall outcomes. Manual therapy techniques are often incorporated in a patient’s treatment plan to maximize physical function of joints within the spine and extremities as well as surrounding muscles, nerves, blood vessels and other soft tissue structures.

Physicians know that advanced training in fields of medicine means better results for patients. That’s why physicians value the fact that our company has more advanced certified therapists – including those with advanced certification in manual therapy – than any other physical therapy practice in the region.

Orthopaedic Therapy

Orthopaedic physical therapy is a form of health care that identifies, alleviates, corrects and prevents acute or chronic movement dysfunction of anatomic or physiologic origin. The orthopaedic physical therapist measures the function and integration of the musculoskeletal and neurological systems, and then develops specific, goal-oriented programs to correct problems caused by an illness or injury. We provide comprehensive orthopaedic physical therapy services to our community. Available treatment services include joint and soft-tissue mobilization, therapeutic exercise, myofascial release, gait training, mechanical spinal traction, neuromuscular re-education, pre- and post-op home programs, and modalities to help modulate pain such as: electrical stimulation, ultrasound, whirlpool, heat and ice . Our treatment services are enhanced by a therapeutic gymnasium equipped with advanced exercise stations.

Osteoporosis

Physical therapy is an important part of treatment for osteoporosis, and our therapists have specialized training in the treatment of this disease. Our team will provide you with a thorough assessment of your physical abilities and limitations.

Physical therapy for osteoporosis patients without a fracture includes strengthening exercises and resistance exercises intended to increase bone mass and make bone-supporting muscles stronger to help prevent fractures. To ease the stress on your bones, your physical therapist will also teach you about body balance, body mechanics and posture. Your therapist will also work with you to find out if there are any risks to you at home and at work, such as specific activities that can lead to bone fracture.

Physical therapy for osteoporosis patients suffering a fracture involves specific exercises and other treatment methods designed for pain relief and bone strengthening as well as prevention of fractures in the future. Physical therapy for osteoporosis seeks to strengthen bones, increase flexibility and manage pain. It also increases the patient’s awareness of their body and develops responsibility for their health.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is an irritation or swelling of the plantar fascia, a thick tissue on the bottom of the heel. Plantar fasciitis causes stabbing or burning pain that’s usually worse in the morning because the fascia tightens (contracts) overnight. Once your foot limbers up, the pain of plantar fasciitis normally decreases, but it may return after long periods of standing or after getting up from a seated position.

Plantar fasciitis is easily treated using a regimen that includes physical therapy exercises, stretching, manual therapy, icing the affected area and taking anti-inflammatory medication.

Post-Surgical Rehabilitation

Physical therapy is a crucial part of regaining full function after surgery to repair an injury or other condition. That’s why more physicians refer their post-surgery patients to our elite team of physical therapy professionals.

Our therapists are well educated in the latest postoperative treatment protocols involving tendon and joint repairs of the hand and fingers, carpal tunnel release, spinal discectomies and fusions, knee or shoulder arthroscopy, ACL repairs, ankle and foot reconstruction, amputation and much more. For information about your specific postsurgical rehabilitation, contact your local clinic.

Posture and Body Mechanics

Poor posture is one of the main causes of neck and back injuries. Forward head position and rounded shoulders contribute to poor posture.

Any employee who sits at a desk or computer has probably been guilty of poor posture at some point in their career and can attest to the fact that it’s a hard habit to break.

When incorporated into activities of daily living, body mechanics help decrease the amount of stress on the spine. Education in body mechanics is therefore essential in preventing the occurrence of back pain.

The goal of body mechanics is to learn how to move the body so as to prevent further injury to the spine. Awareness of common mistakes and proper principles can only help to achieve this goal. Our trained professionals can help evaluate your postural needs and assist you in getting information to modify your working environment to decrease the stress on your body.

Repetitive Stress Injuries

Repetitive stress injury is caused when too much stress is placed on a joint as a result of the same action being performed over and over.

Specific kinds of repetitive stress injury are caused by certain actions. Bicipital tendinitis is often caused by using the arm to make repeated scrubbing motions. Tennis elbow is caused by repeatedly bending the wrist backward with force, such as when playing tennis or painting with a brush. Golfer’s elbow is caused by repeatedly bending the wrist forward with force, such as when pulling ropes or golfing. De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is caused by repeated pinching or twisting of the wrist. Housemaid’s knee is caused by kneeling or leaning forward for a long period of time, such as when scrubbing the floor.

Some forms of tendinitis and bursitis may also be caused by diseases such as rheumatoid (pronounced room-a-toid) arthritis, gout, psoriatic (pronounced sore-ee-at-ick) arthritis, Reiter’s (pronounced rit-urz) syndrome, thyroid disease and diabetes.

Our team of therapists can initiate a program designed to help you understand how to impact your condition when away from your therapy sessions. Therapeutic intervention will include modalities to reduce inflammation and manual activities to increase range of motion and strengthen the injured area. Postural awareness is also a key component to avoiding stressful positions and activities.

Return to Performance (Athletic Enhancement)

If you have suffered a complicated orthopaedic injury, been sidelined for a few games, or have just felt a dip in your athletic performance, our therapists can return you to an elite level of performance. Additionally, if your athletic performance has reached a plateau, we can customize a plan for you to enhance:

Vertical leap

Ball-handling skills

Speed and agility

Response time

Strength and endurance

Core stability

Accuracy

Shoulder Therapy

The shoulder is a complex joint and has both good mobility and stability. Due to the demands placed upon the joint and its structural limitations, the shoulder is a common area of injury. Both acute trauma (occurring quickly and suddenly) and chronic overuse or repetitive movement can result in injury to the shoulder. We commonly treat injuries such as tears, strains, sprains, tendonitis, dislocations and more.

Good upper body strength and flexibility can reduce the risk of shoulder injuries from sports. The stronger and more flexible your joints, the more easily they can withstand impact or hold up under repetitive motions.

Sports and Running Injuries

If you have suffered from injuries during sports-related activities or running, our therapists can customize a plan to have you back on your feet and back in the game. Many of our therapists are triathletes or have a history of high-level sports performance themselves, so they fully understand the desire to compete again.

Our therapists can customize a plan that fits your busy lifestyle and takes into account your prior level of performance, the nature of your injury, and your goals.

Sports Medicine

Our certified and licensed athletic trainers are health care professionals who specialize in the prevention, evaluation and rehabilitation of injuries to those engaged in sports-related activities. Athletic trainers administer emergency care for acute injuries and rehabilitate chronic injuries. Licensed athletic trainers contribute to a cost-effective health care system by emphasizing injury prevention and injury evaluations that prevent unnecessary trips to emergency rooms and unnecessary X-rays. Through aggressive rehabilitation, trainers focus on restoring patients’ good health and ability to participate in sports activities they enjoy.

Our athletic trainers have experience working with weekend warriors, high school athletes, professional athletes, youth sports participants, Olympic and NCAA division/collegiate athletes as well as workers and others injured while engaged in physical activity.

TMJ Dysfunction

We offer a progressive approach to the management of temporomandibular joint disorder (often referred to as TMD or TMJ). TMD/TMJ is a disorder that occurs when the temporomandibular joint in the jaw becomes misaligned.

Our individualized programs serve as either the primary treatment or corresponding treatment to splint therapy, medications and surgery for TMD/TMJ. In most cases, TMD/TMJ is successfully treated using non-intrusive, conservative measures including physical therapy.

Our program emphasizes patient education and self-management for long-term improvement. Treatment includes balancing and relaxing the neck and jaw muscles using heat, muscle stimulation, ultrasound and massage; maximizing function with mobilization/manipulation and exercise; and decreasing pain with modalities and instructions on the proper resting positions of the head, neck and jaw.

Work Conditioning/Occupational Injuries

When an injury or other condition threatens your ability to work and earn a living, it can throw your whole life off balance. But when you trust your therapy to the professionals at BenchMark, we can get you back on track – and back to work – as quickly as possible.

Our work conditioning program offers customized, work-related, intensive, goal-oriented treatment specifically designed to restore your neuromusculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary functions – and your ability to perform your job. Our elite therapy professionals have the necessary knowledge and experience to deliver better work-related therapy outcomes faster. When you choose BenchMark, you can expect to return to work, fully healed, in a hurry. So you can get back to providing for your family with as little time away as possible.

Workers’ Compensation/Industrial Rehab

A commitment to serving the needs of employers while providing excellent care for their injured employees is the hallmark of our industrial injury management program. Designed to decrease the incidence and severity of workplace injuries, the program also facilitates injured workers’ timely return to work.

Individual employee rehabilitation is delivered through our extensive network of clinics and includes but is not limited to:

Work conditioning

Physical, occupational and hand therapy

Back therapy and education

Industrial rehab work conditioning entails a two- to nine-week systematic program of gradual progressive exercise and vocationally specific activity that reconditions the patient’s musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and psychomotor systems for a timely and safe return to work. Activities are individualized to prepare the patient for realistically obtainable goals, defined by achievable vocational abilities, and followed by placement in appropriate work environments.

Prevention and early intervention programs

Decreasing the costs of workers’ compensation is the primary goal of the early intervention process. The program is implemented after a thorough assessment of the employer’s needs, workplace culture and physical job demands. Specially trained therapists assist employers with each phase of program deployment.

Astym® Treatment

This rehabilitative therapy stimulates the regenerative healing process of the body and is a non-invasive approach that works quickly and consistently. The Astym system rejuvenates muscles, tendons and ligaments. It gets rid of scar tissue problems from old injuries in a fashion previously unimaginable and we have the scientific background, data and experience to prove it.

Most treatments ignore soft-tissue dysfunctions such as adhesions, scar tissue and inappropriate fibrosis, but Astym treatment directly addresses unhealthy soft tissue through an innovative process that years of scientific research and clinical trials have demonstrated to be effective. The Astym process is based on clinical and histological research, plus thousands of outcome collections from multiple clinics across the country. Astym not only demonstrates great success as a first-choice treatment, but also routinely shows success after other treatment modalities have failed.

*only offered in specific locations

Dry Needling

Trigger point dry needling is a manual therapy technique using small needles to deactivate trigger points and loosen shortened muscles. A needle is inserted at a myofascial trigger point to elicit a twitch response, relax the muscle and promote healing.

Benefits include:

Decreased muscle pain and soreness

Muscle relaxation

Increased flexibility

Common diagnoses:

Acute and chronic tendonitis

Post-surgical pain

Headaches and whiplash

Lower back pain

Athletic and sports-related injuries

Post-traumatic injuries

Other chronic pain conditions

*only offered in specific locations (not offered in Washington)

Vestibular

An estimated 42% of Americans experience persistent dizziness from some form of vestibular dysfunction during their lifetime. That means nearly 90 million Americans are at high risk for injury by falling.

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy is an exercise-based program designed to promote central nervous system compensation for inner ear deficits. In such cases, a person’s ability to maintain posture and coordinate balance may become overly dependent on input from the eyes, muscles and joints.

Our vestibular program helps patients manage dizziness, imbalance and other symptoms of vestibular dysfunction. Our therapists have the advanced training to not only help decrease fall risk, but also improve postural stability and minimize or eliminate dizziness symptoms altogether. A customized treatment plan may include:

"My doctor referred me to Dr. Ben Linz at the Benchmark Clinic in LaGrange. Due to contracting both Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever within a 2 year period, I was living with a lot of pain from knotted connective tissue and weakness from loss of muscle strength. I had become "de-conditioned" from the illnesses and needed help literally from my head to my toes. After seeing Dr. Ben for the first time, I kept visualizing him as Superman and hearing the song "Here I come to save the day!" whenever I thought of the miraculous healing he wrought. (He may not do it intentionally, but making me laugh through the pain is certainly a part of the therapy he provides).
As a therapist, he has the gift of knowledge and discernment in identifying the source of your pain or disability and then he applies a healing touch in the effective treatment he provides. As an example, when I told him I had been experiencing some vertigo and balance problems, he first tested me to determine what was the cause, which turned out to be muscular and NOT from my inner ear as I had always thought. He treated me for it and I left the center that day as a happy and grateful woman with a steady gait and no vertigo. Under the guidance of Dr. Ben, my body is getting stronger and my pain is under control. He uses a combination of techniques to make my joints and muscles function smoothly and painlessly. I find him to be a kind and compassionate man of good character who has the knowledge, training, experience, and wisdom to help people get well. He inspires me by example to embrace a joyful life. I highly recommend the Benchmark Physical Therapy center in LaGrange. It is well run with wonderful staff and will give you the most excellent results in your path to wellness."-Anne K.

"I have had Meniere’s Disease for many years. It’s an inner ear problem that causes episodes of dizziness among other problems such as hearing loss and constant ringing in my ears. I have been seeing a new ENT and he recommended Physical Therapy for me. Although it was a struggle for me at times, I followed Jim’s instructions and continued doing what he taught me at home. I had moments of difficulty. He continued to work with me and today he released me. Jim helped me tremendously to deal and live with my disease. There is no cure. I’ve learned that with head and neck exercises along with controlled walking and turns, I’m able to do more without getting dizzy as much in public, especially at the grocery store. If you have Meneire’s Disease, I recommend BenchMark at East Towne and Jim Mabe!"- Priscilla B.

"I was in a car accident in October 2017. Dr. Sigrid Johnson referred me to the Sweetwater clinic. From day one, Jen, Macey and Lynn have made me feel like I was their only patient. They are warm, gentle and loving. Their professionalism is one we should all strive to achieve. Each one of them have listened patiently to every moan and groan I have endured during this recovery process. The first visit I had with Jen she thoroughly explained to me about my injury and how it affected my body. She sat realistic goals for me to achieve and explained it would be hard work but we would reach the goals one at a time. Also, Jen explained to me the process of dry needling alone with the pros and cons. I guess it was the second or third visit where we decided we should give dry needling a try to see if it would elevate some of my shoulder/neck pain. The first time Jen did dry needling on my shoulder I was a bit nervous but with her kind, gentle way she calmed my nerves and made me a huge fan of this procedure. It brought me the much needed relief we sought.
I have been motivated me to reach my goals and we have just about accomplished that part of my therapy.
Should I ever have a need for PT again I will immediately know who to contact. Jen, Macey and Lynn are a 10 out of 10 in my book!!
Thank you girls for everything!!"- Laurie L.

"I have had physical therapy many times for various reasons, but I have to say this experience was a workout and a fun one! Tori and Ben were great! If I ever have to have physical therapy again I will definitely choose BenchMark. Thank you for a great experience!"- Mary C.

"I have been going to Benchmark Physical Therapy in Dalton, Georgia now for over two weeks and attending the LSVT BIG Physical Therapy program. It has really surprised me at what has happened over this two week period... As of now I can see how this program has benefited me over the last two weeks, four visits each week. Along with the evening home stretches and home exercise I can see the benefits. It has helped start to lessen some of the stiffness, tightness and is helping with balance, tremors and walking. I surely have to tip my hat to the Physical Therapists and staff, Chelsea, Kristie, Zacherie, and Maria who always greet you and very attentive, courteous, and make you feel at home while attending Therapy. It is always a good experience when showing up before the Therapy and then while doing my session to see and observe how well the Therapist and Staff treat everyone with a caring and respectful way. Thank you all for working with me on this journey. I would highly recommend Benchmark Physical Therapy to anyone..."- Jeffery W.

"My experience with this Oakwood, GA. facility has been excellent. Cody, manages the overall services with wisdom and compassion; constantly seeing to the needs and wellbeing of both patients, and training personnel. Over the time span of my personal appointments, I watched the interaction between patients, and personnel. What I observed, was positive, encouraging, attentive procedures, received well from the patients. Today, sadly I am seeing the need to stop my therapy, as once again, I am having to cancel my appointed time due to more physical issues, that have nothing to do with my special times at Benchmark. I will be able to continue many of the therapeutic procedures at home, that I have found profoundly helpful thus far. So thank you, Cody, and all of you that have consistently opened doors, carefully observed procedures, greeted all of us with warm welcomes, and often walked some of us safely to our cars when our time was complete. Keep up the good work, and thanks for all your efforts to help me."-Clair P.

"My mother is a patient here and I have never seen a staff that was so willing to work with their patients at their own pace. They don't push her to hard and she no longer dreads going. They are more than that, though, they take it to a personal level and are genuinely concerned about what goes on at home too. I am very happy that we were able to find somewhere that doesn't just add to the stress of daily life."- Desiree A.

"In preparation for my knee replacement surgery, I have been going to Claressa Brekke for three months now. I plan to use her once again after my surgery. I look forward to each P.T. session because Claressa and her staff of Hailey and Alexis make me feel so welcomed. Feeling pretty good with the work they have me do!"- Irene P.

"Amanda Elliott's personality creates a pleasant and positive atmosphere which is refreshingly conducive to both the physical and emotional aspects of the patient's recovery. She demonstrates her professional knowledge, skill and competence in a very personal approach to my treatment plan which resulted in my speedy recovery. In my book, she is simply the best."- Dolores W.